Reasonable to ask for a 6 month break clause based on probation period of employment?

HiyaMaya

I am moving into a new job in a new city and one place i am looking at has a 12 months contract associated with it, but my new employment contract has a 6 month probation period. Hopefully all goes well at my new job and this wont be a problem but if something does happen and i am dismissed after 6 months i'd like the option to end the tenancy early.

So is it reasonable to request for a break clause dependent on whether i am dismissed after my probation period ends?

AnotherJoe

Of course it's reasonable to ask. But don't confuse "ask" with "get", you may have to look around,not everyone will be agreeable to that.

HiyaMaya

Well i was wondering if this situation is common at all and if anyone else had any input on any personal experience they may have had with something like this.

HappyMJ

HiyaMaya wrote: »

Well i was wondering if this situation is common at all and if anyone else had any input on any personal experience they may have had with something like this.

I've only ever signed 6 month tenancy agreements so I would look around at other properties that don't have a 12 month minimum fixed term.

Even if you have a 6 month probationary period that doesn't mean you will be there for a minimum of 6 months. If they don't like the work you're doing or don't feel you fit in with the company they can ask you to leave with no notice during the probationary period. Once the probationary period is over you would normally be entitled to the full benefits of being an employee of the company such as an employee discount card, extra days holiday pay, a weeks notice or whatever else you've managed to negotiate.

If there's no probationary period specified in the contract the standard is now 2 years in which the employer is not required to give you any notice at all.

AnotherJoe

Plenty of people have posted here about having a six month break clause but that doesn't mean all will have it.
There's no need to tie it to your employment though, how would the landlord know? You just need the clause.

Though you also need to think about the timing of it. For example if you don't get told until the end of month six about your job, but you have to give a months notice on your 6 month break clause, that's not going to work.

camptownraces

If you are thinking about a flat, the landlord (leaseholder) often has to get "consent to let" from the freeholder.

Some freeholders make it a condition that any new tenancy agreement must be for a minimum term of 12 months. But there's nothing the freeholder can do if landlord and tenant agree to a mutual surrender before the 12 months are up.

Often the 12 months term is suggested by a letting agent, because that doubles their already hefty commission. If you can possibly deal direct with the landlord you may get what you want. Try openrent website